Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro is back in the spotlight, but not for the reasons it hoped. Users are now reporting strange shadow artifacts when using the flash during video recording, a glitch that appears to stem from Apple’s new hardware layout.
iPhone 17 Pro flash placement is causing real-world problems
The culprit seems to be the iPhone 17 Pro’s redesigned flash module. For the first time, Apple moved the flash unit away from the main camera cluster, placing it on the opposite end of the phone. The intention may have been aesthetic symmetry or internal space optimization, but the result isn’t going over well with users.
Instagram creator @marcustechnology was among the first to call out the issue. In his words, “It kind of looks like someone is holding a light from the corner, and it’s honestly super annoying.”
That odd lighting angle results in shadows falling unnaturally across subjects, especially when recording in low light. On previous iPhone models, the flash sat closer to the lens, which allowed for more direct and balanced illumination.
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The iPhone 17 Pro design is getting mixed reactions
The flash shadow problem joins a growing list of quirks reported by early adopters. While many users have praised the iPhone 17 Pro for its thermal improvements and gaming performance powered by the new GPU and vapor chamber, others have voiced concerns:
- The aluminum frame scratches too easily
- Certain apps appear to push the thermals harder than expected
- Active cooling mods are becoming surprisingly common among power users
This flash issue, though, affects a broader range of users, especially content creators who rely on stable, natural-looking footage.
Will Apple respond?
Apple hasn’t commented on the shadow complaints yet, and it’s unclear whether a software fix could improve flash behavior. Realistically, the problem seems to stem from physics and hardware placement, not just code.
So for now, creators might have to rely on third-party lighting or rethink how they shoot in darker environments.
Small design changes can cast long shadows
It’s a reminder that even the tiniest design shifts can ripple into major usability headaches. On paper, moving the flash might seem trivial. In practice? It’s changing how people shoot with a $1,000+ phone. For creators who count on Apple’s consistency, the iPhone 17 Pro’s flash is casting more than just light, it’s casting doubt.
